Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2004

In its report to the 27th session of the Committee, IUCN confirmed the State Party’s statement that the proliferation of the invasive species Salvinia molesta, which lead to the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2000, had been reduced to an acceptably low level. The Centre and IUCN received a letter dated 3 March 2004 from the Director of the National Parks of Senegal, requesting the Committee to maintain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger and referring to a number of persisting threats already reported by the State Party in 2003, namely a retreat of natural faunal habitats due to the colonization of invasive aquatic species, growing salinity in the soils resulting in increased mortality of riverine vegetation and silting up of river courses causing a reduction in the natural river flow and impacts on biodiversity. The letter also has proposed a small experts workshop in order to urgently prepare a plan of action. The letter provides no information with regard to possible benchmarks and timeframes for the possible removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

IUCN reiterates its observation that, although Salvinia molesta is now under control in the property, monitoring is still needed and that there is a need to asses the threat caused by another invading species, Typha australis, which is colonizing open water bodies due to changing hydrological conditions created by the upstream dam. Unlike Salvinia molesta, which was introduced from the neotropics, Typha australis is a native species that due to changes in environmental conditions has been expanding rapidly into the ecosystem. IUCN notes that, being a native species, it is impossible to control using biological methods. However, it might be managed by increasing water depth, and/or cutting stems under water.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2004

Adopted

Draft Decision

28COM15A.7

Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Requests the World Heritage Centre and IUCN in co-operation with the State Party and the IUCN invasive species specialist group, to undertake a mission to the property to: assess the level of threat posed by they proliferation of Typha australis and other invasive aquatic species; assess the other problems reported by the State Party, namely the growing salinity and silting up of the rivers, and; advise on required actions and possible benchmarks and timeframes for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and submit recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 29th session in 2005;

2. Decides to retain Djoudj Bird Sanctuary on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Requests the State Party to invite the Centre and IUCN in close co-operation with the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group, to organise an expert mission to the property to assess the level of threat posed by the proliferation of Typha australis and other invasive aquatic species as well as the other problems reported by the State Party, namely the growing salinity and the silting up of rivers and to advise on required actions and possible benchmarks and timeframes for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

2. Decides to retain Djoudj Bird Sanctuary on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Documents examined by the Committee in 2004

Exports

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).